My worst fears have been realized as things change for the worse at my job. So, it appears to be in my self-interest to look for another.
For those of you who have enjoyed Alphecca and thought about throwing me a $5 or $10. . . Now would be a Real Good Time for that. So, the tipping jar is on the sidebar (just scroll down to ol’ Yosemite Sam or — here’s one now! Thanks so much!
Update: Thanks to Glenn Reynolds for the notice. I will note that some have said this is begging. It could be called that but I have not had a tip-jar or advertising on the site for almost two years and I merely suggested that if anyone appreciated what I’ve been doing here for so long, a couple dollars my way would help out at the moment.
I’ve never discussed here whom I work for and I don’t intend to start doing so now. I like the company itself and most of the people who work there as well as the products we build and sell.
As to what is changing at my job, let’s just say that promises were made to me last year individually by two senior executives — that my position would not be effected by certain changes coming up. Those promises were not kept.
There is a point where if you can not take the word of or trust those who employ you, it’s time to move on.
27 Responses to “Life’s a Bitch”
on 24 Jul 2007 at 8:40 am # Quentin Dement
Done.. thanks for everything.
on 24 Jul 2007 at 9:15 am # Jeff Soyer
Thanks, Quentin, you and another have already kindly responded and I appreciate it greatly. Oddly enough, just got my notice from Hosting Matters that it’s time to renew the Alphecca domain and cough up another year of web hosting.
Now to hunt through the classifieds for work. . .
on 24 Jul 2007 at 10:43 am # anon
Look at the bright side: at least you used up a bunch of vacation time before bailing out - it would suck to lose it.
on 24 Jul 2007 at 11:27 am # Jeff Soyer
That was the intention. “Use it or lose it” as the saying goes — plus I needed some time off.
Alas, it’s tough for someone my age with no college degree to find work. In my favor is a history of long employment — eleven years at this company, ten at the last.
That plus for four years in a row I’ve won sales awards, with top-dollar producer both this year and last. Plus employee of the year a few years ago. Skills in sales, marketing, and managing a million+ showroom.
Also, one of my other hats was manager of customer service for the company — phone and email wise. Not the most pleasant of jobs when it involves complaints but it’s good training for turning problems into solutions. An unhappy customer is one who won’t buy again. A customer who had a problem that is solved to his/her satisfaction is one who will (and I’ve proved it!) continue to buy from the company and often is more fiercely loyal because the company (meaning me) solved the problem for them.
Too bad there aren’t a heck of a lot of employment opportunities in the area for someone like me because I’d really like to stay where I am.
on 24 Jul 2007 at 4:05 pm # Jeffersonian
You’ve got…had…mail, Jeff. I hope it looks interesting to you.
on 24 Jul 2007 at 4:57 pm # ekul
why on earth would you want to leave your job? your always commenting about the ultra-relaxed environment there, what caused you to change your mind?
on 24 Jul 2007 at 5:07 pm # Jay
Sounds involuntary. That’s why he would want to leave.
Good luck Jeff! I am in shoes not far removed from yours (or I’d hit your tip jar myself).
on 24 Jul 2007 at 5:07 pm # Brent
Oh man!! The only thing worse than working is looking for work. My sympathies and I hope something works out soon…without having to leave S. Vermont.
on 24 Jul 2007 at 6:42 pm # Nimrod45
Good luck with the job hunt, Jeff. Thanks for all your hard work on our behalf. Keep your powder dry!
on 24 Jul 2007 at 10:09 pm # Jeff Soyer
Now my dream job, and one I would be perfectly suited for, is managing web sales for a large gun store! Sort of combining my current training with my hobby…
on 24 Jul 2007 at 11:49 pm # Quentin Dement
Jeff why don’t you send your resume to Cabelas? They’re always opening new stores.
on 25 Jul 2007 at 7:50 am # tomWright
Jeff, There are a couple gun manufacturers in New England you could look at. SiG in NH, Bushmaster in ME. So its not Vermont, but…its not NY or CA either!
The Cabelas idea may be a good one.
I am 48 (shudder) and did a similar thing. After 6 years I needed a new job and also a bit of a change sine the technology I knew, (still know), and still prefer does not have enough demand. So I had to try to break into some new technology I despise but that has big demand. Not easy in IT where everything is geared to the new and young. It took me 6 months.
In sales and customer service, though, longevity and experience mean a lot. Those are very tough jobs for most people. I tried it for a bit, I know, and I suck at it.
Interpersonal skills at a high level are rare. You should get something before too long.
on 25 Jul 2007 at 10:57 am # DirtCrashr
49 and a house-husband for the past four years. Unemployable, too old and my skill-set tanked. Never done sales - couldn’t sell fire to Adam. While I had my nose down close to the grindstone earning patents for the company, the whole means of doing what I did in the industry totally changed. When we got bought-out it was, “Huh?” and severance.
on 25 Jul 2007 at 11:25 am # Farmer
I hope a large summer instalanche helps …
on 25 Jul 2007 at 11:54 am # PILATE ERROR
How exactly does a libertarian justify begging? and pathetic begging at that?
on 25 Jul 2007 at 11:59 am # Jim O'Sullivan
I wish you well, but: many people find their job environment humiliating (”no comment” regarding whether I am among them). If you could be a little more, uh, persuasive about how your own particular circumstances call for finanial aid…
on 25 Jul 2007 at 1:36 pm # Richard R
A libertarian shouldn’t have a problem with begging. It’s stealing we’re against.
on 25 Jul 2007 at 1:47 pm # Lord Whorfin
Jeff:
Hope this small amount helps. Keep up the great work.
Phil
Bridgewater Corners VT
on 25 Jul 2007 at 3:09 pm # countertop
Jeff,
The Cabela’s thing sounds great. Or Bass Outfitters.
I work with a guy who knows the folks at Midway, so maybe he could help you out there.
Seems to me a college degree is only important for the first job. After that folks are much more interested in the results you’ve managed to obtain.
btw, I sent some $$ your way.
on 25 Jul 2007 at 3:57 pm # Tom
Done. Best of luck.
on 25 Jul 2007 at 4:50 pm # Jeff Soyer
Thanks so much to all of you!
–Jeff
on 25 Jul 2007 at 6:46 pm # Leanman1
basspro.comhttp://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPage?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&appID=23&job_id=7253&e=prostaffc@basspro.com
just a thought…I don’t have enough info about your specialty to point you at a perfect fit…
regards,
leanman
on 25 Jul 2007 at 11:20 pm # Eric Scheie
“some have said this is begging.”
They are wrong! Begging is when you ask people for money and offer nothing in return. Your blog is both entertainment and a form of service, and the people who come to read it are coming because they like your entertainment and you provide them a service. When you say that you could use some money (especially in the dignified way you have), that is a reasonable reminder to your audience that this is a voluntary two-way street.
Calling your polite reminder “begging” is about as logical as saying that your visitors are “stealing” for using your bandwidth!
on 26 Jul 2007 at 12:49 am # Sastar
Done and good luck on the job hunt.
on 26 Jul 2007 at 8:43 am # Mark Quintal
Hey Jeff, long time reader and lurker, sorry to hear about your job issues, had the same not that long ago myself. I hit your jar, and if you are ever in Vegas feel free to sleep on my couch.
Q
on 26 Jul 2007 at 2:07 pm # DirtCrashr
The guy with the career-cardboard sign down at the corner of Stevens Creek and Lawrence who’s been there for the past four years is begging - and he steals everybody’s bandwidth who passes by.
on 29 Jul 2007 at 7:31 pm # M Jackson
MB sent me here.
Man you don’t need a jar. Take the leap, start work tomorrow, work for yourself. It is a little scary at first but I’ll bet you never go back to the employee world…